Optimum Design of Singly and Doubly Reinforced

Concrete Rectangular Beam Sections: Artificial

Neural Networks Application
Salim T. Yousif

Ikhlas S. ALsaffar

Saddam M. Ahmed

College of Engineering
University of Mosul

Civil Dept.
Technical Institute/Mosul

College of Engineering
University of Mosul

Abstract

Construction of concrete structures involves at least two different main materials: concrete and
steel. Design of these structures should be based on cost rather than weight minimization. In this
work, least cost design of singly and doubly reinforced beams is done by applying of the
Lagrangian multipliers method (LMM) under ultimate design constraint beside other constraints.
Cost objective functions and moment constraints are derived and implemented within the
optimization method. The optimum solution comparisons with conventional design methods are
performed and the result reported, showing that the LMM can be successfully applied to the
minimum cost deign of reinforced concrete beams without need for iterative trials. Optimum design
solution surfaces have been developed. Good and reliable results have been obtained and confirmed
by using standard design procedures. The artificial neural networks (ANN) has been trained with
design data obtained from optimal design formulas. After successful trials, the model predicted the
optimum depth of the beam sections and optimum areas of steel required for the problems with
accuracy satisfying all design constraints.

/ /

. )( .
.
)(
. .
.
.

1. Introduction

Structural design is an iterative process. The initial design is the first step in design process. Though
the various aspects of structural design are controlled by many codes and regulations, the structural
engineer has to exercise caution and use his judgment in addition to calculations in the
interpretation of the various provisions of the code to obtain an efficient and economic design. After
the design process, the designer makes an overall guess about the possible optimum solution
1

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Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

consistent with designers experience, knowledge, constraints, and requirements. The analysis of
the structure is then carried out using initial design. Based on the results of the analysis a re-design
of the structure is carried out if any of the constraints is not satisfied. The efficiency of the design
process depends heavily on initial guess. A good initial design reduces the number of subsequent
analysisdesign cycles. This phase is extremely difficult to computerize as it needs human intuition.
In recent years efforts have been made to computerize the initial design process using artificial
neural networks as they can learn from available designs during training process.
Optimization of building structures is a prime target for designers and has been investigated by
many researchers in the past (Tam Ha [1], Rath et al. [2], Ceranic, and Fryer, [3] , Jarmai et al. [4],
Matej and Michal [5], Barros, et al. [6], Sahab et al. [7], Zou et al. [8] and Aschheim et al. [9]).
Optimization is highly linked to the selection of the most suitable structural system. Such a
system would still be sized to ensure the least overall cost. In structural design, many parameters are
incremental in their nature rendering a continuous approach almost impossible to implement in a
practical optimization exercise.
Artificial neural network is a new technology emerged from approximate simulation of human
brain and has been successfully applied in many fields of engineering. Neural networks demonstrate
powerful problem solving ability. They are based on quite simple principles but take advantage of
their mathematical nature in terms of non-linear iteration. Neural networks with Back Propagation
(BP) learning showed results by searching for various kinds of functions. However, the choice of
basic parameters (Network topology, learning rate, initial weights) often already determines the
success of the training process. However, there are no clear rules how to set these parameters. Yet
these parameters determine the efficiency of training. Lot of research has taken place on
applications of artificial neural networks in structural engineering. Artificial Neural Networks
ANNs have been used in the fields of concrete structures for nearly 25 years. The main results were
achieved in the structural design process and the structural analysis, for instance, Tang et al. [10];
Oreta [11], Fonseca et al. [12], D. Maity and A. Saha [13]. The ANN models built by these
researchers basically set the structural parameters such as the material property, the boundary
condition and the size of a structure as the input of the ANN model to predict the ability for the
structure to resist the load. In most of these works the neural networks have been trained by using
back propagation algorithm. In this approach the connection weights of neural networks are initially
set to some random values. These values are then modified automatically according to the learning
algorithm during the process of learning.
In this work, the optimal design information has been incorporated into an artificial neural
network (ANN) which gives optimal design, satisfying all of the criteria in one step. The
optimization involves choosing of the design variables in such a way that the cost of the beam is the
minimum, subject to the satisfaction of behavioural and geometrical constraints as per
recommended method of design codes.

2. Structural Optimization

In optimization problems the aim is to minimize the weight, volume or the cost of the structure
under certain deterministic behavioural constraints. The mathematical formulation of typical
structural optimization problem with respect to the design variables, the objective and constraint
functions can be expressed in standard mathematical terms as a non-linear programming problem as
follows [14]

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

Min F(s)
subjected to
hj(s) 0, j=,1 .m
(1)
sil si siu, i=1n
where s is the vector of design variables, F(s) the objective function to be minimized, hj(s) the
behavioural constraint, sil and siu are the lower and the upper bounds of typical design variable si.
The set of design variables gives a unique definition of a particular design. The selection of
design variables is very important in the optimization process. The designer has to decide a priori
where to allow design changes to evaluate how these changes should take place by defining the
location of the design variables and the moving directions.

2.1 Lagrange Multipliers Method

In its original formulation, the LMM applies to the optimization of a multivariate objective function
expressed as
y = f ( x1, x2 ,...., x n ),
(2)
subjected to the equality constraints of the form
gi ( x1, x2 ,....x n ) = 0,
i = 1, 2, ..., m
(3)
where n is the number of independent variables and m are the number of constraints; m must be less
than n by definition of the problem. The procedure is to construct the unconstrained Lagrangian
function L of the form
m

L = ( x1, x 2 ,...., x n , 1, 2 ,....., m ) = f ( x1, x 2 ,..... x n ) +

g ( x x ,......, x ) ,
i i

1, 2

(4)

i =1

where the unspecified constraints i are the Lagrange multipliers determined in the course of the
extremization. The necessary conditions for L to possess an extreme (stationary point) are
L
f
=
+
x k x k

i =1

g i
= 0,
k i

k = 1,2,..... n,

L
= gi = 0 , i = 1,2,....., m .
i

(5)
(6)

Expression (6) simply restates the original constraints acting on the solution space of the
objective function y = f ( x1, x2 ,...., x n ) . Expressions (5) and (6) are a system of n + m equalities with

n + m unknowns. Hence, their solution will yield stationary values for x1 , x 2 ,.... x n and 1, 2 ,....., m
from which the optimum solution can be obtained.

3. Singly Reinforced Beam Section (SRB)

3.1 Problem Formulation

Figure (1) shows a typical single reinforced rectangular section with simplified rectangular stress
block. The following factors are defined and are assumed fixed for a given problem:
d
t= s
(7)
d
In Eq.(7), t (which is the geometrical property) is a function of the effective depth, d , to be
determined. Therefore, this factor is variable. Since the range of values of t is generally limited and
its influence on total cost of the beam section is small, it is satisfactory to assume t to be constant.
3

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

0.85 f c

a = 1 c

T = As f y

ds
(a)

(b)

(c)

Fig. 1. Singly reinforced rectangular beam

When a rectangular-beam section is designed, the nominal bending moment, M n , with cross
section width b, and material properties f c and f y are generally given. Thus, d and As are to be
determined. In this formulation however, R, and in Eqs.(8 and 9), which follows, are used as
design variables of the optimum design problem instead of d and As ,
Mn
(8)
b
As = b. d
(9)
where R is a coefficient used to determine effective depth which is calculate from optimum solution
later. A cost function is defined as the total cost (C) which is equal to costs of flexural
reinforcement plus concrete. These costs involve material costs and fabrication costs, respectively.
Let Cs and Cc refer to the unit costs of steel and concrete for a unit volume. The cost of the beam of
unit length is:
C = Cs .Vs + Cc . Vc
(10)
d=R

where Vs and Vc are volumes of steel and concrete per unit length of beam, respectively. Eq.(10)
can be written as:
Vs = 1 As = b. d
(11)
Vc = 1 [(d + d s ) b ] = [(1 + t ) b . d ]
(12)
Substituting Eqs.(11 and 12) in Eq.(10) yields:
C = [ q + (1 + t )] R. Cc M n . b

(13)

in which ( q = Cs / Cc ) is a ratio of the unit cost of steel to that of concrete. As ( Cc M n . b ) in

Eq.(13) is constant for a given problem, then minimizing the cost function (C) is equivalent to
minimizing
w( , R) = [ q + (1 + t )] R
(14)
The constrain function:
Geometry of the rectangular beam is shown in Fig.(1) together with the simplified rectangular stress
block as given in the ACI-Code [15]:
a

M n = As f y d
(15)
2

in which:
4

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

a=

1 =

As f y
0.85 f c . b

(16)

Mu = M n

(17)

1 u

(18)

0.25 f c
1.4
or
fy
fy

(19)

fc u
.
fy u + t

(20)

u = 0.85 1.

The factor 1 in Eq.(20) shall be taken as 0.85 for concrete strength f c up to and including 28
MPa. For strengths above 28 MPa, 1 shall be reduced continuously at a rate of 0.05 for each 6.9
MPa of strength in excess of 28 MPa, but 1 shall not be taken less than 0.65.
To ensure under reinforced behavior, ACI Code; sec.10.3.5 establishes a minimum net tensile
strain t of 0.004 at the nominal member strength for members subjected to axial loads less than
0.1 fc Ag , where Ag is the gross area of the cross section.

The ACI Code further encourages the use of lower reinforcement ratios by allowing higher
strength reduction factors in such beams. The Code defines a tension-controlled member as one
with a net tensile strain greater than or equal to 0.005. The corresponding strength reduction factor
is = 0.9 . The Code additionally defines a compression-controlled member as having a net tensile
strain of less than fy / E S . The strength reduction factor for compression-controlled members is
0.65. A value of t = fy / E S is a yield strain for steel. Between net tensile strains of fy / E S and
0.005, the strength reduction factor varies linearly, and the ACI Code allows a linear interpolation
of based on t , as shown in Fig.(2). Calculation of the nominal moment capacity frequently

involves determination of the depth of the equivalent rectangular stress block a. Since c = a / 1 , it
is some times more convenient to compute c/d ratios than the net tensile strain.

Strengthreductionfactor

Compression
controlled

Tension
controlled

Transition
zone

0.25

= 0.65 +

(0.005

= 0.65

t = 0.005
t

t = y = fy / E S

fy
)
ES

= 0.9

( t

fy
)
ES

Net tensile strength

Fig. 2. Variation of strength reduction factor with net tensile strain t [16].

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

u = 0.003

c
=
d

u = 0.003

u = 0.003

t = fy / ES

t = 0.004

0.003

c
0.003
=
= 0.429
d (0.003 + 0.004)

fy
(0.003 +
)
E
= 0.65 S
A-Compression control
member

t = 0.005

= 0.8617
B-Minimum net tensile strain for
flexural member

0.003
c
=
= 0.375
d (0.003 + 0.005)
= 0. 9

C-Tension control

Fig. 3. The net tensile strain t and c/d ratios for singly reinforced concrete beam [16].

The assumption that plane sections remain plane ensures a direct correlation between net tensile
strain and the c/d ratio, as shown in Fig.(3). In accordance with the safety provisions of the ACI
Code, the net tensile strain is checked, and if t 0.005 , this nominal capacity is reduced by the
factor = 0.9 to obtain the design strength. For t between fy / E S and 0.005, must be adjusted,
as discussed earlier.
Substituting Eqs.(7, 8, 9, and 16) into Eq.(15), obtain:
fy 2

R 1 = 0 = g( , R)
f y 1

1
.
7
f
c

(21)

Thus, the optimum design problem is to minimize w( , R) = [ q + (1 + t )] R subjected to the

constraints:

fy 2

R 1= 0
1 u and f y 1
1.7 f

(22)

3.2 Optimization and Procedure of Calculations

The LMM (Lagrangian Multipliers method) applies to the optimization of a multivariate objective
function expressed as[14]:
L ( , R , ) = w( , R) [g( , R)]
(23)

fy 2

R 1
L ( , R , ) = [ q + (1 + t )] R f y 1
(24)
1.7 fc

where the unspecified parameter is the Lagrangian Multipliers. Three independent variables
, R and appear in the cost objective function, Eq.(23). Derivatives with respect to the three
independent variables; produce three equations as given below:

f y
R = 0
q f y 1

0
.
85
f

c

6

(25)

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

[ q + (1 + t )] f y 1

fy

2 R = 0
1.7 fc

(26)

fy 2

R = 1
f y 1
1.7 f

(27)

m
is obtained as:
By eliminating from Eq.(25) and Eq.(26), opt

fy
q

+
1 + t 0.85 f c

m
= 1
opt

(28)

m
is obtained as:
and using Eq.(27) , Ropt
m
=1
Ropt

opt f y (1

opt f y
1.7 f c

(29)

Taking Eq.(19) and Eq.(20) into consideration, the optimum steel ratio opt , and optimum
coefficient Ropt , are given as:
m
m
opt = opt
; Ropt = Ropt

opt = 1

; Ropt = Ru

opt = u ; Ropt = R1

m
< u
if 1 < opt

m
1
if opt
m
u
if opt

(30)

Values of Ru and R1 are found as follows:

Ru = 1

1 f y (1

1 f y
1.7 f c

; R1 = 1

u f y (1

u f y
1.7 f c

(31)

By referring to Eqs.(8 and 9) the optimum effective depth, d opt , and the optimum area of steel
Asopt , are:

d opt = Ropt

( Mu / )
; Asopt = opt .b.d opt
b

(32)

4. Doubly Reinforced Beam Section (DRB)

4.1 Problem Formulation

Based on the similarity with the total cost function per unit length for the doubly reinforced
rectangular section shown in Fig.(4) may be written as Eq.(13) as:
C = doubly + q + (1 + t ) R. Cc M n b
(33)

[(

The ACI Code limits the net tensile strain, not the reinforcement ratio. To provide the same
margin against brittle failure as for singly reinforced beams, the area of reinforcement should be
limited

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

0.85 f c

0.85 f c

As f y

a = 1 c

d- ds

+
( Asdoubly As ) f y

As f y

T = As doubly f y

ds

a = 1 c

As f y

= Asmax f y

(a)

(b)

(e)

(c)

(f)

Fig. 4. Bending stress and strain distribution in cross-section of doubly reinforced rectangular beam.

To; Asdoubly As = As(max .) as shown in Fig.(4.f). It is easily shown that the reinforcement ratio

doubly for a doubly reinforced beam is [16]:

doubly = u +

(34)

where u is the maximum reinforcement ratio allowed by the ACI Code for singly reinforcement
beams and given by Eq.(20).
As u establishes location of the neutral axis, the limitation of Eq.(34) will provide acceptable
net tensile strains. A check of t is required to determine the strength reduction factor and verify
that the net tensile strain requirements are satisfied. In the case of t 0.005 , u may be replaced
by in Eq.(34) which gives = 0.9 .
Substituting Eq.(34) into Eq.(33), produces the following cost function, C:
C = [( u + 2 ) q + (1 + t )] R Cc M n . b
(35)
Since the product Cc M n . b in Eq.(35) is constant for a given problem, minimization of the
cost function C is equivalent to minimizing
w( , R) = [( u + 2 ) q + (1 + t )] R

(36)

The constraint function:

Fig.(4), shows the geometry and the simplified rectangular stress block for the cross- section of
rectangular of rectangular doubly reinforced beam. When the ultimate design moment Mu exceeds

the moment of resistance of a singly reinforced section ( k n b d 2 ), compression reinforcement is

required, Considering equilibrium of the horizontal forces on the beam cross- section for this case,
( Asdoubly As ) f y
). Using Eq.(34) ; the
depth of the rectangular compression block a is equal to (
0.85 f c b
block depth will then be equal to:
a=

u f y
0.85 f c

.d

(37)

The ACI-Code [15] specifies requirements for M n and for a doubly reinforced concrete beam
section (taking moments about the tension reinforcement) as [16]:
a
M n = ( Asdoubly As) f y (d ) + As f y (d d s )
(38)
2
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Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

and:
doubly max

cy

(39)

gives minimum tensile reinforcement ratio that will ensure yielding of the compression
where cy

steel at failure [16]:

c y = 0.85 1.

u
fc d s
+
.
fy d u y

= u +
max
Substituting Eqs.(7),( 8),( 9),( 34) and Eq.(37) into Eq.(38), yields:
u f y

1
) + (1 t ) R2 =
u (1
1.7 f c
fy

(40)
(41)

(42)

Thus, the optimum design problem is to minimize Eq.(36) which is subjected to the constraints:
f

1
doubly max
, g( , R) = u (1 u y ) + (1 t ) R2
=0
cy
(43)
1.7 f c
fy

4.2 Optimization and Procedure of Calculations

By excluding Eq.(39), the constraint on the problem is given by Eq.(42). Then using the LMM,
technique [14], Eq.(43) can be solved leading to a set of design variables. Accordingly a Lagrangian
function L, is defined as:

u f y

1
L ( , R , ) = [( u + 2 ) q + Q] R u (1
) + (1 t ) R2
1.7 f c
f y

in which Q = 1 + t .

(44)

Setting L = 0 , L R = 0 , L = 0 , yields

2 q [ (1 t ) R] = 0

[( u + 2 ) q + Q] u (1

u f y

) + (1 t ) 2R = 0
1.7 f c

u f y

1
) + (1 t ) R2 =
u (1
1.7 f c
fy

(45)
(46)
(47)

, Ropt , are obtained as:

By eliminating from Eq.(45) and Eq.(46), opt

=
opt
Ropt = 1

u q u y (3 + t ) + (1 t ) Q
0.425 f c

(48)

2 q (1 t )

u f y

(1 t )
f y u (1
) + opt
1.7 f c

(49)

The optimum effective depth d opt for (DRB), the optimum area of steel in tension Asopt , and the
compression steel area Asopt are obtained as:
(Mn / )
b
).b.d opt
= ( u + opt

dopt = Ropt

(50 a)

Asopt

(50 b)

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

b.d opt
Asopt = opt

(50 c)

The procedure to find the optimum solution (i.e. d opt , Asopt , Asopt ) is summarized in numerical
design examples.

5. Numerical Examples

Three typical design examples are given, illustrating situations where the optimum solution is either
a singly or doubly reinforced section. For given values of q , t , f y , f c , the optimum solution is
obtained and presented graphically. The optimum solution is compared with the standard design
procedure specified in ACI-Code [15].

5.1 Design Example 1: Singly Reinforced Beam (SRB)

A rectangular beam section with b=300 mm is given. It is required to determine values of the
optimum area of steel Asopt and the optimum effective depth d opt , for Mu =667 kN.m, f c =28

MPa and f y =414 MPa. It is assumed that t=0.1, and q=85.

Figure (5), shows the optimum solution for singly reinforced concrete beam section (SRB).
Hence, from Eq.(28) opt is 0.010563270 giving the corresponding optimum coefficient of the
effective depth of the section Ropt obtained from Eq.(29) as 0.5017965. The optimum area of the
tension reinforcement Asopt and optimum effective depth of the section d opt are then obtained from
Eq.(32) as 2499 mm2 and 788.7 mm respectively.
On the bases of the depth wise strain variation shown in Fig. (3), value of the net tensile strain is
t 0.01088 > 0.005 , so the strength reduction factor is = 0.9 . The corresponding total material
cost C of the beam per unit length is then obtained from Eq.(13) to be 0. 4727144 Cc $/m as its
minimum value (in terms of the concrete cost per unit volume). Figure (5) shows also that the
optimum solution lies on the bending moment constraint boundary with the cost objective function
being tangential to the curve. Table 1 shows the results using the standard design method. It is
marked from this table that the derived optimum design formulae for singly reinforced sections
gives an accurate estimate of the minimum material cost.
1

0,9

min

0,8

FeasibleRegion

0,7

C=0.47272Cc

opt..

0,5
0,4

max

min

0,3
0,2

Ropt.

Rmax.

Coefficient (R)

0,6

max

0,1
0
0

0,0025 0,005 0,0075 0,01 0,0125 0,015 0,0175 0,02

Ratio of Tension Reinforcement ()

Fig. 5. Optimum design for the singly reinforced concrete beam of Example 1.
10

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

Table 1. Results of the standard design method and LMM for the singly reinforced beam of Example 1.

Effective depth
(d) mm

Area of tension
Reinforcement
(As) mm2

Tension
Reinforcement ratio
( )

Total material costs

(in terms of Cc)
($/m)

622.4*
3421
0.018324276**
0.4962165
660
3147.4710
0.015896318
0.4853351
700
2907.4170
0.013844842
0.4781304
740
2705.9530
0.012188977
0.4742060
788.7
2499
0.010563270
0. 4727144
780
2533.6260
0.010827461
0.4727582
820
2384.0240
0.009691154
0.4732420
860
2252.596
0.008730992
0.4752706
900
2135.997
0.007911100
0.4785597
*minimum value of the effective depth which is calculated from the minimum coefficient R1 using
Eq.(31).
**maximum reinforcement ratio, given by Eq.(20).

5.2 Design Example 2: Doubly Reinforced Beam (DRB)

A-rectangular reinforced concrete beam section with b=250 mm, f c = 20 MPa and f y = 400 MPa ;
is given. It is required to determine values of the optimum effective depth d opt and optimum area of
steel Asopt in which Mu =497 kN.m. Assume values of t and q as 0.1 and 20, respectively.
The optimum result is presented graphically on the design surface ( , R ) of Fig.(6). Using

Eq.(48), value of opt

is obtained to be 0.008967 giving a corresponding

value for

opt as 0.022514 . Value of Ropt is obtained from Eq.(49) as 0.3584414. value of the optimum
area of the tension reinforcement As opt is calculated from Eq.(50-b) to be 2998.456 mm2, while
value of Asopt is obtained by applying Eq.(50-c) as 1194.258 mm2 after computing value of the
optimum effective depth of the section d opt from Eq.(50-a) as 532.73 mm.
According to the strain variation in the depth wise direction shown in fig.(3), value of the net
tensile strain t is 0.0064 > 0.005 , so the strength reduction factor value is 0.9, then the total
material cost C of the beam per unit length is obtained from Eq.(35) to be 0.230354 Cc $ / m at its
minimum value. The optimum solution lies on the tangent point of doubly reinforced bending
constraint moment with the objective function being tangential to the curve.
Table 2 shows the results of the standard design method including values of the effective depth,
area and ratio of the tension reinforcement and the total cost of the beam per unit length in terms of
concrete cost C c per unit volume. The row of the optimum is the shaded one.

11

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

0,5
0,45

C=0.230354Cc

0,4

0,3

0,25
0,2

Ropt.

Coefficient (R)

FeasibleRegion

opt.

0,35

0,15
0,1
0,05
0
0

0,005

0,01

0,015

0,02

0,025

0,03

0,035

0,04

0,045

Ratio of Tension reinforcement (doubly)

Fig. 6. Optimum design for the doubly reinforced concrete beam of Example 2.

Table 2. Results of the standard design method and LMM for the doubly reinforced beam of
Example 2.
Area of
Tension
Area of
compression
Effective
tension
Total material costs
Reinforceme compression
Reinforcement
depth
Reinforcem
(in terms of Cc)
nt ratio
Reinforceme

ratio ( )
(d)mm
ent (As)
($/m)
( doubly )
nt (As) mm2
2
mm
400
3924
0.03924
2570
0.025696
0.2398762
440
3585
0.03259
2094
0.019040
0.2345793
470
3369
0.02867
1777
0.015123
0.2321643
500
3180
0.02544
1486
0.011890
0.227814
520
3066
0.02358
1305
0.010038
0.227298
532.73
2998.456
0.022514
1194.258
0.008967
0.230354
540
2961
0.02193
1132
0.008389
0.2303755
560
2864
0.02045
968
0.006913
0.2306415
590
2732
0.01852
734
0.004973
0.2315563
620
2613
0.01686
513
0.003309
0.2330103
640
2540
0.01588
372
0.002327
0.2342417
660
2472
0.01498
236
0.001433
0.2356606

5.3 Design example 3: (SRB-DRB)

Given quantities are the same as those of Example No.2, except that q=30, The results are as
follows:
m
opt
= 0.01968 > u ;hence opt = u = 0.0135469 ,depth= d1 =696.364 mm, Asopt =2358.389 mm2.

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Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

In this example, the optimum section agrees with the section using u as the steel ratio. The
corresponding value of the total material cost C of the beam per unit length is then obtained from
Eq.(13) to be 0.2622517 C c $ / m at its minimum limit (in terms of concrete cost per unit volume).
Fig.(7) shows the optimum result is presented graphically on the 2D-design surface ( , R ). The
design space is discontinuous with the feasible region consisting of a singly (SRB) and doubly
(DRB) reinforced solution space. The comparison between the standard design method and the
optimum solution is also summarized in Table 3. The optimum solution lies on the bending
moment constraint boundary at the point of intersection with the boundary reinforcement, as shown
in Fig.(7). As in the previous example the cost objective function is tangential to the bending
moment constraint surface.
0,7

Singlyreinforced
section

0,6

Doublyreinforced
section

0,5

opt.

C=0.230354Cc

0,4

0,3

Ropt.

Coefficient (R)

FeasibleRegion

0,2

0,1

0
0

0,005

0,01
0,015
0,02
Ratio of Tension Reinforcement ()

0,025

0,03

Fig. 7. Optimum design for the SRB-DRB reinforced concrete beam of Example 3.
Table 3. Results of the standard design method and LMM for the SRB-DRB reinforced beam of
Example 3.

Area of
Tension
Effective Area of tension
compression
depth
Reinforcement Reinforcement
Reinforcement
2
ratio ( )
(d)mm
(As) mm
(As) mm2
500
3180
0.0254400
1486
540
2961
0.0219333
1132
570
2818
0.1977544
888
600
2691
0.0179400
659
635
2558
0.0161134
407
696.364
2358.389
0.0135469
750
2124
0.0113266
780
2015
0.0103327
800
1949
0.0097459
820
1888
0.0092108
13

compression Total material

Reinforcement costs (in terms
ratio ( )
of Cc) ($/m)
0.0118900
0.0083887
0.0062320
0.0043907
0.0025637
-

0.2774762
0.2713132
0.2679469
0.2654776
0.2635609
0.2622517
0.2699621
0.2749462
0.2784755
0.2821465

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

6. Neural Network Approach

6.1 Neural Network Design and Training

The developed database for the optimum design of rectangular sections, which is based on the
equations in articles 3 and 4, were used to train a neural network. The design input to the problem
includes: applied moment, Mu, concrete strength fc, yield strength of steel reinforcement fy, sections
width b, and unit cost of steel to that of concrete q. The design output includes: optimum area of
reinforcement Asopt, and optimum effective depth of section dopt.
A set of 21691 and 12555 optimum design examples were generated for training and a set of
1491 and 213 unseen examples were used for testing of trained ANN for singly and doubly
reinforced sections, respectively. Three layered feed forward neural networks (FFNN) consisting of
one hidden layer has been simulated using MATLAB developed by [17] for learning of the optimal
design examples .The range of input and output data are shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Range of input and output parameters in database for the optimum designs SRB-DRB
Input parameter
Width (mm) b
Compressive strength (MPa) fc
yield strength (MPa) fy
cost of steel/concrete
Ultimate moment(kN-m)
Area of steel (mm2) As
Depth (mm) d
Area of positive steel(mm2)

Singly reinforcement
Minimum
Maximum
200
400
20
40
300
520
15
95
100
2000
648
10613
301
1100

Doubly reinforcement
Minimum
Maximum
200
400
20
40
300
520
10
35
150
1675
947.7
4499.3
301.2
961.4
100.2
2189.7

The multi-layer feed forward back-propagation technique [18] is implemented to develop and
train the neural network of current study where the sigmoid transform function is adopted. The term
ANN prediction is reserved for ANN response for cases that were not used in the pre-training
stages. This is used in order to examine the ANNs ability to associate and generalize a true
physical response that has not been previously seen. A good prediction for these cases is the
ultimate verification test for the ANN models. These tests have to be applied for (input and output)
response within the domain of training. It should be expected that ANN would produce poor results
for data that are outside the training domain.
Preprocessing of data by scaling was carried out to improve the training of the neural network.
To avoid the slow rate of learning near the end points specifically of the output range due to the
property of the sigmoid function, the input and output data were scaled between the interval 0.1 and
0.9. The scaling of the training data sets was carried out using the following equation:
y = (0.8 / ) x + (0.9 0.8 xmax / )
(51)
where = x max x min
It should be noted that any new input data should be scaled before being presented to the
network and the corresponding predicted values should be un-scaled before use. The backpropagation learning algorithm was employed for learning in the MATLAB program [17]. Each
training epoch of the network consisted of one pass over the entire all training data sets. The
testing data sets were used to monitor the training progress.
Different training functions available in MATLAB were experimented for the current
application. The Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) techniques built in MATLAB proved to be efficient
training functions, and therefore, are used to construct the NN model. These training functions are
14

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

among the conjugate gradient algorithms that start training by searching in the steepest descent
direction (negative of the gradient) on the first iteration.
The LM algorithm is known to be significantly faster than the more traditional gradient descent
type algorithms for training neural networks. It is, in fact, mentioned as the fastest method for
training moderately sized feed-forward neural network [19]. While each iteration of the LM
algorithm tends to take longer than each iteration of the gradient descent algorithm used previously,
the LM algorithm yields far better results using far fewer iterations, leading to a net saving in
computer processor time over the previous method. One concern, however, is that it may overfit the
data. The network should be trained to recognize general characteristics rather than variations
specific to the data set used for training.
The network architecture or topology is obtained by identifying the number of hidden layers
and the number of neurons in each hidden layer. There is no specific rule to determine the number
of hidden layers or the number of neurons in each hidden layer. The network learns by comparing
its output for each pattern with a target output for that pattern, then calculating the error and
propagating an error function backward through the neural network. To use the trained neural
network, new values for the input parameters are presented to the network. The network then
calculates the neuron outputs using the existing weight values developed in the training process.
Table 5 shows the properties (architectures and parameters) of ANN models.
Table 5. Properties of ANN models
Architecture
training function
Activation Function
Mean Squared Error (MSE)

Singly reinforcement model

5-12-2
LM
Log sigmoid
0.0005

Doubly reinforcement model

5-15-3
LM
Log sigmoid
0.0005

6.3 Results and Discussion

The performance of a trained network can be measured to some extent by the errors on the test sets,
but it is often useful to investigate the network response in more detail. One option is to perform a
regression analysis between the network response and the corresponding targets and finding a
correlation coefficient. It is a measure of how well the variation in output is explained by the
targets. If this number is equal to 1, then there is perfect correlation between targets and outputs.
The regression analysis between the ANN predicted and corresponding calculated optimum
values for depth and steel area are shown in Figs. (8) to (12), the correlation coefficients were
found to be 0.98769 and 0.99578 for the depth of singly and doubly reinforced section, respectively,
while the correlation coefficients for tension steel area were 0.99416 and 0.99438 for singly and
doubly reinforced sections, respectively. On the other hand the correlation coefficient for
compression steel area of doubly reinforced sections was 0.99026.

15

Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

1100

8000
Data Points
Best Linear Fit
ANN predicted d= Calculated d

7000

Data Points
Best Linear Fit
ANN predicted As= Calculated As

Calculated reinforcement area As (mm )

1000

Calculated depth d (mm)

900

800

700
R=0.98769
600

6000

5000

4000

2000

500

400
400

500

600
700
800
900
ANN predicted depth d (mm)

1000

1000
1000

1100

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

ANN predicted reinforcement area As (mm )

Fig. 9. Calculated and predicted reinforcement

area of regression for test data of SRB

Fig. 8. Calculated and predicted depth of

regression for test data of SRB

4500

900
Data Points
Best Linear Fit
ANN predicted As= Calculated As

4000

800
Calculated optimum depth d (mm)

Calculated optimum reinforcement area As (mm )

R=0.99416

3000

3500

3000

R=0.99438

2500

2000

Data Points
Best Linear Fit
ANN predicted d= Calculated d

700

600

R=0.99578

500

400

1500
1500

2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
2
ANN predicted reinforcement area As (mm )

300
300

4500

400

500
600
700
ANN predicted depth d (mm)

800

900

Fig. 11. Calculated and predicted reinforcement area

of regression for test data of DRB

Fig. 10. Calculated and predicted depth of

regression for test data of DRB

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Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

Data Points
Best Linear Fit
ANN predicted As= Calculated As

Calculated optimum positive reinforcement area As (mm)

2500

2000

1500

1000

R=0.99026

500

0
0

500
1000
1500
2000
2
ANN predicted positive reinforcement area As (mm )

2500

Fig. 12. Calculated and predicted compression reinforcement

area of regression for test data of DRB.

It is clear that neural network provides an efficient alternative method in the design of singly and
doubly reinforced concrete beam sections.
The neural network approach was adopted in an attempt to overcome significant limitations with
traditional methods. Compared to similar works using the ACI method, the neural network
approach does not require any equations; all the user has to do is input a few parameters describing
the specific problem to be solved. In addition, a neural network can solve simultaneously a batch of
problems in almost negligible time.
The success of the ANN model in predicting the design parameters highlights that such a
numerical technique can be used reliably to design problems for structural elements.

7. Conclusions

In this work, the optimum design of SRB and DRB was done by taking moment-equilibrium
besides other constrains. To evaluate the cost of the beam, a ratio of steel to concrete costs is
necessary. Two design variables and R, and other factors are used, and the optimum design
problem can be solved easily using LMM without need for iterative trials. The artificial neural
networks (ANN) has been trained with design data obtained from optimal design formulas. After
successful learning, the model predicted the depth of the beam section and area of steel required for
problems.
The research reported in this paper shows the following conclusions:

The optimum steel ratio opt , is usually less than u and considerably greater than 1 .

The optimum section is very economical as compared to other sections which can be obtained
from standard design method.
The procedure developed can serve as the basis for designing reinforced concrete beams, while
a structure using the optimum section will not provide an optimum design for the entire
structure.
The problem has been limited about the singly reinforced beam section, if q and f c are
relatively small and f y is large, it appears possible that the doubly reinforced section could be

the optimum section.

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Salim T. Yousif, Ikhlas S. ALsafar and Saddam M. Ahmad

Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

The feasibility of using the artificial neural networks in building the model for optimum design
of SRB and DRB, has been verified, the artificial neural network model predicted the optimum
depth of the beam sections and optimum areas of steel required for the problems with accuracy
satisfying all design constraints.

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Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 1-19

Notation
The following symbols are using in this paper
a
AS
Asopt
AS

As opt

Area of tensile steel reinforcement

R
R1

coefficient for u

optimum tension steel area

Ru

coefficient for 1

depth of the compression stress block

m
R opt

Area of compression steel reinforcement

optimum compression steel area

Correlation coefficient

optimum coefficient without steel limit constraint

dimensionless geometrical properties of rectangular beam
section (see Eq. 7)
volumes of concrete and steel of beam of unit length

b
c

width of beam
Distance from top fiber to natural axes

objective function

cost of unit length of beam, i.e., cost of section

equivalent stress factor

Cc , C s

costs of concrete and steel per unit volume

,respectively

Lagrange multiplier

effective depth (to tension reinforcement)

As / b d

optimum effective depth

minimum reinforcement ratio

ds

distance from steel centroid to tensile face

cy

minimum tensile reinforcement ratio that will ensure yielding of

the compression steel at failure

f c

strength of concrete

doubly

tension reinforcement ratio for doubly reinforced section

fy

yield strength of steel

max

maximum tension reinforcement ratio for doubly reinforced

section

constrains function

opt

optimum tension reinforcement ratio

m
opt

optimum tension reinforcement ratio without steel limit

constraints

opt

optimum compression reinforcement ratio

d opt

Vc , V S

fy

kn

Flexural resistance factor = f y (1 0.59

Lagrange function

As / b d

Mn

nominal bending moment

maximum tension reinforcement ratio

Mu

ultimate bending moment

f c

ratio of cost of steel to that of concrete

(1+t)

yield strain of steel ( f y

coefficient of

ultimate strain of concrete

Mn /b

Abbreviations:
ANN: Artificial Neural Network
FFNN: Feed Forward Neural Networks
SRB: Singly Reinforced Beam
DRB: Doubly Reinforced Beam
LMM: Lagrange Multiplier Method

19

strength reduction factor see Fig.(2)

net tensile strain of steel

/ Ey )